Sweet and Sour
by
Sam Loschiavo
It was our first university zoology lecture. Some of the class were pre-medical students. The professor strode into the theatre and commenced his lecture.
"I understand that some of you want to become medical doctors. I should tell you that a good doctor must be courageous and observant."
"Now, for the benefit of the pre-med students, we shall perform a simple test for the presence of sugar in your system. You may or may not know that excess sugar is excreted in urine. I want you to pick up a specimen bottle at the door, go to the lavatories, place a sample of your urine in the bottle and return."
The students looked at one another but did as they were instructed. When they returned, the professor continued. "Observe closely as I dip my finger into my bottle and then put it to the tip of my tongue. If it tastes sweet, my sugar level is too high. Now, you do the same."
The students grimaced but did as they were told. The professor resumed, "You remember what I told you about courage and good observation as prerequisites of a good doctor? Each of you showed commendable courage by placing your finger dipped in urine onto your tongue. But you failed in observation. If you had watched me closely you would have noticed that the finger I dipped into my bottle was not the same one I placed on my tongue." A moment of silence was followed by a roar of laughter.
